MANITOBA/NORTHWEST ONTARIO AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS

Al-Anon/Alateen is:
• A fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who believe their lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.
• A self-help recovery program based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
• A nonprofessional fellowship where members share their experience and hope to solve their common problem.
• An anonymous program with the identity of all Al-Anon, Alateen and AA members protected.
• A spiritual program that is compatible with all religious beliefs or none.
• A program with the single purpose of helping families and friends of alcoholics whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
• Compatible with professional treatment. Statistics show 63% of members received treatment/counseling after attending Al-Anon.
• Free of charge and self-supporting through members’ voluntary contributions. There are no dues or fees for membership.

Al-Anon is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics and is composed of non-professional, self-supporting, self-help groups. Anyone whose life is, or has been affected by a problem drinker, is eligible for membership. Experience In Al-Anon/Alateen, members do not give direction or advice to others. Instead, we share our personal stories and experiences, and invite other members to determine what might work in their own lives. Strength As members of Al-Anon, we no longer have to face alcoholism or its effects alone. You may find that you gain personal strength in areas you could never have imagined.

20 Questions

Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close. The following questions are designed to help you decide whether or not you need Al-Anon:
1. Do you worry about how much someone drinks?
2. Do you have money problems because of someone else’s drinking?
3. Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else’s drinking?
4. Do you feel that if the drinker cared about you, he or she would stop drinking to please you?
5. Do you blame the drinker’s behavior on his or her companions?
6. Are plans frequently upset or canceled or meals delayed because of the drinker?
7. Do you make threats, such as, “If you don’t stop drinking, I’ll leave you”?
8. Do you secretly try to smell the drinker’s breath?
9. Are you afraid to upset someone for fear it will set off a drinking bout?
10. Have you been hurt or embarrassed by a drinker’s behavior?
11. Are holidays and gatherings spoiled because of drinking?
12. Have you considered calling the police for help in fear of abuse?
13. Do you search for hidden alcohol?
14. Do you ever ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking?
15. Have you refused social invitations out of fear or anxiety?
16. Do you feel like a failure because you can’t control the drinking?
17. Do you think that if the drinker stopped drinking, your other problems would be solved?
18. Do you ever threaten to hurt yourself to scare the drinker?
19. Do you feel angry, confused, or depressed most of the time?
20. Do you feel there is no one who understands your problems?
If you have checked any of these questions, Al-Anon or Alateen may be able to help.